Existing comment:
St. Michael's Historical Church:
In the year 1879, on a blustery Sunday in March, a man wearing a cassock of a religious [sic ???] , made his appearance in the village of Poplar Springs. He asked to be directed to the home of Lilbourne P. Kuhn who lived on a large farm along this road. Mr. Kuhn was not Catholic but was familiar with the faith, after spending time in South American, helping to build the Ecuadorian Navy. The mysterious priest asked Mr. Kuhn to allow the use of his home for Masses to be heard. Mr. Kuhn advertised in Mt. Airy and Woodbine that Mass would be celebrated the following Sunday. Twenty Catholics gathered on two succeeding Sundays, but no priest came. Later, Kuhn reached the Superior of St. Charles College who contacted the Rector of Woodstock College. The Rev. Charles Ferrari, S.J. was sent to look after the matter and became the first priest to minister to the small gathering. Aware of the need to worship, Mr. Kuhn donated ground for both the church and cemetery. On June 12, 1880, the cornerstone was laid. On October 18, the first Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Edward I. Devitt, SJ, who became the first regular pastor. ...
Interesting facts:
* Electric lights were installed around 1950. Before that, evening services were held by candlelight. Later, the two chandeliers were donated by W. Kevin Smith in memory of his parents Julia and Francis Smith.
* Originally there was no water in the church and an outdoor privy was available. ... |